Submerged article marker and retriever



Sept- 17, 1957 c. R. HoFMl-:lsTl-:R

SUBMERGED ARTICLE MARKER AND RETRIEVER Filed July 17, 1956 Carl H0 fm eist-er HVVENTUR.

United States Patent Y SUBNIERGED ARTICLE MARKER AND Y Y RETRIEVER The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a simple, economical, reliable and easyto-use contrivance which may be effectually used to assist one in visibly ascertaining the approximate position of a submerged article and which also constitutes an expedient means to retrieve the article.

More particularly, the invention comprises a device which is constructed from available and economical parts and which, while it may be employed as a marker for sunken boats and large objects, is preferably employed in connection with articles used out-of-doors; that is, sports equipment such as fishing tackle and hunting equipment.

Position locating and marking contrivances and devices analogous in construction and performing similarly are not, of course, broadly new. In fact, it is admittedly old in the art to employ an encased-float which is attached to a line and with the line attached in one way or another to a reel or drum and to the object which is to be retrieved. A number of examples could be cited but reference to the Haselton Patent 1,719,838, of July 9, 1929 will serve to exemplify, generally speaking, the state of the art to which the instant invention relates.

It is an object of the present invention structurally, functionally and otherwise to improve upon similarly constructed and operating prior art adaptations. The improved device which is intended to attain this end cornprises a tubular casing, a base fitted telescopically into the lower end or bottom of the casing, means in the casing whereby an intermediate portion of the retrieving and float line is spooled for ready unwinding, said base having a passage through which the lower end portion of said line is passed and is free to be attached to the submerged article, a normally intact closure for the upper end of said casing, and an indicating and spot marking float confined in said casing between the base and closure, the upper end of said line being connected with' said lloat, said closure being disruptible when acted upon by water, and said base having means to allow water to enter said casing, whereby when the closure disrupts, the oat is released and automatically iloats to the surface of the water.

Stated somewhat more explicitly, the base comprises a circular wooden or equivalent block having an eccentric hole for downward passage of the aforementioned line. It is centrally provided on its top with a reduced neck or extension which constitutes a line winding hub, the upper end of the hub having a concave seat for the spherical float. Centrally, the base is provided with a hole through which water is permitted to pass to act on the oat once the disruptible seal or cover disintegrates or otherwise disrupts, this being an important feature of the invention and obviating the necessity of using spring means to eject the float.

Other objects, featuresand advantages will become Y more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative, but not restrictive, drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:V

Fig. l is a view in elevation and perspective showing how the invention is attached to a rod and reel and how it. functions, the casing being omitted intentionally to clearly show the base;

Fig. 2 is also a perspective view of the ready-to-use device; and e Fig. 3 is a view through the device seen in Fig. 1 which may be said to be a central vertical sectional view and wherein the captive lloat is'conned in the manner illustrated.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral 6 designates the lost article which may be a fishing rod equipped with a reel 8. Insofar as the lost article is concerned it is obvious that this may be any one of a number of implements or devices varying in size and purpose. Therefore, the expression fishing rod and reel is used advisedly.

The contrivance or invention has to do with what I commonly refer to as a spot marker. As already mentioned, this is characterized by a base which is usually constructed of wood but may be of any appropriate material and comprises a circular base proper 10 with an upstanding reduced neck portion l2 which in conjunction with the top surface 14 provides what may be described either as a hub or a winding spool. There is an eccentric hole 16 through the base from top to bottom and also an axial passage or bore la which constitutes a water intake. The water intake may be of any other equivalent construction. The upper end of the spool-like hub, that is, the end 20 is concave or dished to form a satisfactory seat for a complemental portion of the ball-like float 22. A single line of appropriate strength and gauge is employed and the upper end of the line as at 24 is appropriately attachedv to the float. The intermediate Windable portion 26 is spooled or wound on the hub 12 in the manner best seen in Fig. 3. The lower free end portion 28 extends downwardly through and beyond the hole where it is wrapped and suitably attached in the manner denoted at 30 in Fig. l to the lost article. In the showing it is attached to the aforementioned lishing rod.

A casing is provided and this comprises a cylinder 32 the lower end of which is appropriately attached to the base as seen in Fig. 3. This cylinder may be of cardboard, paper, metal or commercial plastics. It may also be decribed as a tube and the upper end thereof is closed by an appropriate closure which is here in the form of a disruptible seal, disk or the like 34. The tail and base provide an enclosure or casing for the float when the float is normally in the position seen in Fig. 3 at which time the seal is, of course, intact. The numeral V36 designates a cylindrical or tubular wrapper or label the lower end portion of which is attached to the base, the intermediate portions directly encircling the tube or cylinder 32 and the upper end portion 38 extending to a plane above that of the seal 34 in order to protect the seal against damage.

It will be evident that the line is in one piece. The lower end portion 28 of the line is attached as at 30 to the article 6. The upper end is attached to the lloat as at 24. The main portion or bulk of the line is wound on the spool or hub and thus the contrivance is attached for ready use to the article to be retrieved. One or more holes are formed through the base to allow water to enter the casing under the float and to help to force the oat out of the tube or cylinder 32. As already pointed out, the hub is countersunk or dished out to allow the float to rest solid in the seat thus provided.

The seal may be any appropriate disruptible material which is affected and looses its strength when it becomes wet. Normally, it is intact and holds the iioat in position. The paper or cardboard label 36 around the casing i and actually forming a part of the casing is there in order to protect the paper seal from damage.

When the device is used the water seal weakens and breaks fand allows water to enter the base by wayfpof the passage and 'this aidsinejecting the float and assistingY its rise to the surface in the manner illustrated in Fig. l.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only ofV the principles of the invention. modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to' limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andN equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the' scope of the invention as claimed. Y

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in locating, marking and retrieving an article submerged in a body of water, a base provided onv its central upper side with a reduced neck-like extension constituting a line winding spool, the upper end of said extension having a concave seat formed therein, said base having a central opening therethrough providing a water passageway, a marginal portion of the base having a second opening therethrough for passage of a line, a oat seated on said spool, a line attached at one end to the float and having an intermediate portion wound around the spool and an end portion extending down and through the hole provided therefor in the base, a cylinder having one end attached to the base, a disruptible seal covering the top of the cylinder and conlining the oat in the cylinder.

2. For use in locating, marking and retrieving an article submerged in a body of water, a base provided on its central upper side with a reduced neck-like extension constituting a line winding spool, the upper end of said Further, 'since numerousY extension having a concave seat formed therein, said base having a central opening therethrough providing a water passageway, a marginal portion of the base having a second opening therethrough for passage of a line, a oat seated on said spool, a line attached at one end of the oat and having a intermediate portion wound around the spool and an end portion extending down and through the hole provided therefor-in the'base, a cylinder having one end attached to the base, a disruptible seal covering the top of the cylinder and conning the float in the cylinder, and a cylindrical wrapper having its lower end attached to the periphery of the base and its body portion surrounding said cylinder and its upper portion extending to a plane above the plane of said seal.

3. For use Vin locating, marking and retrieving an article submerged in a body of water, a circular solid base having an upstanding hub on its upper side constituting a line windingrspool, said base being solid and havingan axial opening extending therethrough and vproviding a water passageway, a marginal portion of the base in a plane below said hub having a second opening therethrough eccentric'to the passageway and adapted for passage -of a line therethrough, a float seated atop said hub, a line attached at one end toV the float and having an intermediate portion wound around the hub and an end portion extending down through the hole provided therefor in the base, a cylinder having one end attached to said base, a disruptible seal covering the top of the cylinder and confining said float in said cylinder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,719,838 Haselton July 9, 1929 2,479,098 Cardinal Aug. 16, 1949 2,754,525 Johnson July 17, 1956 

